Last weekend was brilliant... I went for a walk along the coast at Hill Head overlooking the Solent. It was packed: even more people than in the summer, I guess because everybody was making the most of the fine weather. It's not like that now, unfortunately, but it may improve before long. This is all by way of introduction to announcing that I may be up for some day or weekend sailing in March.
There are two weekends that look clear in my diary: 16/17th and 23rd/24th. 16th/17th is neap tides, which means it works well to leave Southampton in the morning, go west, and come back in the afternoon the same (or following) day. 23rd/24th is spring tides, which makes sailing around Southampton Water for a few hours in the middle of the day a good option. If it looks like a really good weekend then an overnight trip to a local destination such as Cowes, Beaulieu, Haslar, Lymington or Yarmouth would be a possibility. Old or new crew would be welcome to express an interest. Anyone considering joining me on Round Britain is particularly encouraged to consider signing up. The way it will work is that I will pencil in the weekends, but confirm only when the weather picture is clear. I am not planning to go out in storms, fog or other adverse conditions. Please contact me by the contact form on toucando.net or email if you already know my address. Let's hope for a great March.
Sunday 24 February 2013
Friday 15 February 2013
Round Britain: Latest on Itinerary and Crewing
Please note: this post will be updated regularly. Updates will be shown in red.
Latest update (12th March): We will not be leaving Milford Haven before Tuesday 21st May
Crew are particularly welcome to express an interest in any of the legs between Inverness (20th June) and Ipswich (20th July).
The itinerary for the Old Gaffers' Round Britain Challenge is now finalised (from the point of view of the organisers). I am now working hard on getting Toucando ready and sorting out crew.
Preparations
As far as the preparation is concerned I will be relocating to Shamrock Quay on 1 April which is a better location from the point of view of maintenance - easily reached by engineers, and with an on-site chandlery for all those bits and pieces that are needed. Anyone who is interested in coming to do some sanding and "varnishing" (technically not varnish, but Sikkens and Coelan coatings), cleaning, polishing, servicing winches, etc. etc. is welcome to visit. Technical experts are welcome, but so are non experts. Anyone who would like to help will be fed and accommodated aboard. I am likely to have a two or threee day trip to either the Cowes or Haslar Sealift for anti-fouling and anode replacement. Crew are welcome to some along free of charge. The Sealift staff do the dirty work, by the way. I haven't chosedn a date as yet.
Itinerary
Round Britian 2013 is part of the celebration of the 50th Anniversary of the Old Gaffers' Association (OGA) - the organisation which promotes traditional gaff rigged sailing. A gaffer has a four sided mainsail, supported at the top by a wooden spar known as the gaff. Most gaffers have wooden masts, and frequently wooden superstructure. Older boats have wooden hulls, but Toucando has a glass reinforced plastic (GRP) hull. A fleet of gaffers will be sailing round Great Britain attending various parties and regattas on the way organised by local areas of the OGA. Gaffering tends to be an informal style of sailing, and the social events are generally relaxed (even slightly scruffy in the best possible way). Barbecues, pontoon parties, shanty bands, discos and local regattas for small and large boats will provide plenty of entertainment. Between the main weekend festivities it will be up to skippers to decide where to go and where to stop. I have now decided that Toucando will go through the Caledonian Canal - this is mainly to allow time to attend the events in Dublin and Belfast.
Friday 3rd May: Shamrock Quay (Southampton) to RAFYC (Hamble). A short sail taking two to three hours. The fleet will assemble at Hamble before setting off Round Britain.
Saturday 4th May - Sunday 5th May: Solent Area Event at Hamble. This coincides with the Maritime Heritage Festival being held in the port of Southampton. We may parade back up Southampton Water for the entertainment of the crowds. There will be barbecues etc. ashore in Hamble and a first chance to get to know some of the other boats and crews. We may set off on Sunday morning to a nearby destination such as Yarmouth or Lymington so that we can get a good start heading west on Monday. Crew now complete for Southampton to Falmouth.
Monday 6th May - Friday 10th May: Solent to Falmouth, with a fleet stopover in Plymouth on 8th-9th May. Other stops could include Poole, Weymouth, Dartmouth. Crew now complete for Southampton to Falmouth.
Friday 10th May: Arrive in Falmouth. Crew now complete for Southampton to Falmouth.
Saturday 11th May: Day in Harbour.
Sunday 12th May: Possible departure for the Scillies.
Monday 13th to Friday 17th May: St Mary's to Milford Haven. This can easily be done as a single passage. Alternatively it could be possible to go to Kilmore Quay on the south east of Ireland, or anchor in the lee of Lundy in the Bristol Channel, and then visit Swansea. Much will depend on the crew and the prevailing conditions.
Saturday 18th to Sunday 19th May: Milford Haven event... no details yet available.
Monday 20th to Wednesday 22nd May: In harbour at Milford Haven.
Wednesday 22nd to Friday 24th May: Milford Haven to Holyhead. This passage typically takes the best part of 24 hours without stops.
Saturday 25th to Sunday 26th May: Holyhead event. Details not yet available, but the North Wales area of the OGA has a fine tradition of hosting excellent events at Holyhead.
Monday 27th to Friday 31st May: Holyhead to Dublin - this is essentially a daysail which could be undertaken any day that week. The other days will be spent mainly at Holyhead or Dublin and may include some day sails... it all depends on the crew and the weather.
Friday 31st May: Registration at Poolbeg Yacht Boat Club from 17.00 pm. Rally Sponsors Reception at Yacht Club from 20.00 pm.
Wine and finger food during Reception followed
by Craic and Ceoil (Music, song and Fun) till late
Saturday 1st June: Dublin Bay OGA ‘Leinster’ Perpetual Trophy Kish Race (Toucando will be spectating, not participating) First Gun 11.00 at Dun Laoghaire Harbour start line. ‘Barbecue & salads’ at Poolbeg Marina from 18.00 pm. Tickets for ‘Barbecue & Salads’ €8 per plate. 19.00 ‘Poems & Pints’ in the Clubhouse ‘Ceoil and Craic’ in Clubhouse from 20.30 pm till late.
Sunday 2nd June: Dublin Bay OGA ‘Howth 17’ Liffey Race ‘Between the Bridges’. First Gun: 13.00 am. Start line - Up river of Toll Bridge. Dublin Bay OGA 50th Anniversary Parade of Sail. All OGA Rally Boats will ‘dress overall’ fly their OGA burgees, and will sail upriver with the Howth 17s then berth alongside the North Quays to watch the River Race, after which all boats will fall in behind the Howth 17s who will lead the flotilla up river on our ‘Parade of Sail’ then down river to Poolbeg Light House and back to Poolbeg YBC for the barbecue. 18.30 Maritime Quiz for Boat Teams - Whisky Prize
Monday 3rd June: Dublin Bay OGA ‘Asgard’ Perpetual Trophy Race in Dublin Bay. First Gun: 11.30 am. At Poolbeg Lighthouse start line. Rally boats will compete for the Asgard Trophy in Dublin Bay, Rally Prizegiving in Poolbeg YBC Clubhouse. (Asgard was the boat in which Erskine Childers - author of "Riddle of the Sands", arguably the greatest sailing novel, ran guns from the south coast of England to Howth in 1914 on behalf of the Irish Volunteers).
Tuesday 2nd to Friday 5th June: Dublin to Belfast... could include a stop over in Peel (IOM) or Dandalk.
Saturday 6th and Sunday 7th June: Belfast event... no further details available yet.
Monday 8th to Friday 12th June: Belfast to Loch Melfort... sailing on the west coast of Scotland with potential stops at Islay, Jura, and other islands.
Saturday 13th and Sunday 14th June: Loch Melfort event including some 'Highland Hospitality', an informal party, beach barbeque, music and fun on Saturday evening.
Monday 15th to Friday 19th June: Loch Melfort to Inverness via Oban, Fort William and the Caledonian Canal. The canal goes through the Great Glen and links Loch Linnhe, Loch Lochy, Loch Oich and Loch Ness. Should be a fantastic few days sailing through some of the best scenery in Britain.
Saturday 20th to Friday 28th June: Inverness to Anstruther - I am not aware of any planned events in Inverness.
Friday 28th to Sunday 30th June: Anstruther event... no details yet, but I'm sure it will be good.
Monday 1st to Friday 5th July: Anstruther to Newcastle Upon Tyne... possibly including a mini event at Eyemouth.
Friday 5th to Sunday 7th July: OGA North East in conjunction with Newcastle Quayside Marina will host a Festival of Sail in the heart of the North East. A large scale gathering of gaff rigged and other traditional and characterful craft, including hopefully many Round Britain Challenge and Relay participants. The intention is to involve as many maritime & heritage organisations as possible in a weekend of activities including: parade/concours d'élegance, craft, volunteer & trade stands,music, food & drink. I am looking forward to our visit to the coaly Tyne as I have very fond memories of the canny toon where I learned to be a teacher. I know an alarming number of Geordie songs.
Monday 8th to Friday 12th July: Newcastle to Grimsby
Thursday 11th and Sunday 14th July: Grimsby & Cleethorpes Yacht Club will receive and entertain Round Britain Challenge participants with a programme of social and sailing events. No further details yet. I've never been to Grimsby by land or sea and am rather looking forward to it. I assume that there will be some excellent fish and chips involved.
Monday 15th to Friday 19th July: Grimsby to Ipswich. There are not many ports of call for a Cornish style deep draft sailing vessel who prefers to stay afloat at all states of tide. Lowestoft is one possibility. From there the next options are the marinas of the Rivers Orwell and Stour, including Harwich, Shotley and Woolverstone.
Saturday 20th July: Arrive at Ipswich Docks, BBQ at the Last Anchor £10.
Sunday 21st July: Regatta in and around Ipswich. Pontoon party.
Monday 22nd to Monday 29th July: There are a whole host of events in the interesting waters of Essex, including nights in Walton Backwaters, Mersea and Brightlingsea. Toucando is not ideally suited to sailing in the shoal waters of the east coast, so we may prefer to cross over to the Low Countries or go up the river to London. All to be decided.
Monday 29th July to Friday 2nd August: To Ramsgate (see above re possible route via Low Countries or London)
Saturday 3rd and Sunday 4th August: Ramsgate event: no details yet, but Ramsgate is a pretty poty in Kent which could be a good location for a weekend.
Monday 5th to Wednesday 14th August: We'll probably be beating down the channel to finish the Round Britain Challenge. This could include stops at French as well as English ports. If we're lucky we may get an easterly wind to help us on our way.
Thursday 15th to Sunday 18th August: OGA Jubilee Festival Cowes - This is the big event - it may well be the biggest gathering of gaffers in the UK for fifty years. We are taking over the whole of Cowes Yacht Haven for the festival period. There will be many events to take part in including rowing races, barbecues, parties, and all the usual activities available in Cowes. This is intended to be as inclusive an event as possible top showcase gaff rigged sailing.
Sunday 18th August: Return to Shamrock Quay in Southampton for a well earned rest.
Crew
I have already got crew for some legs, but there is plenty of opportunity for others to join. I will explain below how Toucando works from a crew perspective and what I am looking for.
Toucando is NOT a commercially coded vessel. She is a privately owned leisure yacht. Crew usually make a contribution to the costs of the voyage to cover food, fuel and mooring fees. Please discuss likely level of contribution with me. If there are event fees (e.g. paid for barbecues, dinners, entertainment) crew pay as required.
I am a commercially endorsed RYA Yachtmaster and Cruising Instructor, although I do not work as an instructor. I have about twelve years sailing experience, mainly on gaff rigged vessels. I try to ensure that time on Toucando comprises a balance of three things: enjoyment, learning and safety.
Toucando does not race. Until I have a regular crew with substantial experience of sailing on a gaffer racing is not a sensible idea. Toucando cruises and makes passages. The idea is to get from port to port efficiently and enjoyably. That means enjoying the view and the experience of sailing. There is always a thrill at entering a port for the first time from the sea, even if you know it well from ashore. Enjoying the marine environment is a key part of sailing. On a longer passage getting into the rhythm of life at sea can be very satisfying. Safety is of prime importance. All required equipment is carried, including life jackets for all crew. My policy is that life jackets are to be worn on deck when under way. As the RNLI slogan says life jackets are "useless unless worn".
I have a no alcohol policy whilst under way... which includes the hours before embarkation. I am happy to drink ashore, or on board once we are safely moored. Whilst I am not a smoker I understand that some excellent sailors do need nicotine. I am happy for crew to smoke on deck, preferably on the leeward side.
On the whole I do not put to sea in a Force 7 or above, or in "rough" sea states. I am cautious about fog or heavy (visibility reducing) rain. Sometimes we get caught out in difficult conditions and have to deal with them, and that's fine, but I prefer not to put us in harm's way if it can be avoided.
I operate a watch system on longer passages to ensure that crew change duties on a regular basis and get periods of rest. I find it best to change watch on the hour, and to have a written plan setting out the watches so everyone knows who is doing what and when.
I often prefer to eat and drink on the boat in harbour and enjoy looking at what's going on on the water. It can also be good to entertain friends from other boats, or indeed passers by. I am very happy for cooking duties to be shared, and have appreciated the excellent cooking skills of many of my crew. I also enjoy the occasional meal ashore... but not usually night after night. I enjoy sampling the local taverns and bars, but I also like going to sailing clubs where they exist. Clubs are repositories of local wisdom, and like most voluntary organisations they often struggle to survive: it behoves sailors to put some money across the bar and keep them going, and ask for some tips from the leathery faced denizens who know the local waters better than anyone.
Toucando has a for cabin with a double berth, suitable for two people who know one another well. The main saloon has four berths, two being the benches for the main dining table, and two "pilot berths" above them. I have slept in both upper berths quite a lot: they are particularly comfortable when under way with the lee cloths in position. Finally there is a quarter berth in the starboard quarter underneath the cockpit seat. This is another good space, close to the navigation table and the companionway ladder. In theory seven people can sleep aboard: in practice it is more comfortable for three, four or five. Whilst I assign berths for use when we are in port, when making longer passages the off watch crew may simply take the most appropriate berth in the circumstances (for example, if the engine is running it makes sense to rest in the fore cabin as far away from the noise as possible).
Toucando is a comfortable boat. Weighing 11 tons and with a long keel, she has a steady motion through the sea. Like most gaffers, she heels less than a triangular sailed boat for given conditions... the lower centre of effort and the ballast in her keel ensures that. She goes very well indeed with the wind on the beam, but does not point as close to the wind as a modern bernudan rigger. All the domestic arrangements below are well thought out, and she is a great boat to spend time aboard.
So far my crew has included Yachtmaster Instructors who know far mor than me about every aspect of sailing, complete novices and everything in between. I have had people who know about gaff rig, but the majority come aboard with no knowledge of its peculiarities. I have had children and elderly people. For Round Britain I would prefer to have one person with a reasonable level of experience, possibly underwritten with RYA qualifications... somebody who I would be happy to leave on deck running the ship while I had an hour's sleep below. Beyond that I am happy to consider crew with any level of experience, including little or none. (I would suggest that less experienced crew would be better suited to shorter passages in more protected waters.)
I try to enable crew to do all the main tasks aboard, with such instruction as may be necessary. Key duties include: helping with mooring, raising and trimming the sails. Rope handling is a major task: learning to coil and stow a rope is essential, and learning to tie knots efficiently. I don't expect novices to come aboard with knotting knowledge, but I won't be impressed with someone claiming to be a Yachtmaster who cannot tie a bowline. Steering is another core duty for crew - and one which most people enjoy. Maintaining a written log is something I always ask crew to help with. I explain the basics of navigation and pilotage, and keep crew well briefed on our passage plan. Being an efficient lookout is essential - drawing the attention of the skipper to anything that might be important is a key duty, from an oil tanker approaching from an unexpected angle to breaking waves ahead.
I would recommend aspiring crew to look at this blog to get more of an idea about Toucando and the sort of sailing she has done in my ownership. Also check out toucando.net which is a website with much more information and many pictures. There is also a link there through which you can send me messages.
If you would like to crew on any part ouf Round Britain Challenge, or even just visit when we're in harbour please get in touch. I'm sorry this is rather a long post, but hopefully it provides some useful information. I look forward to meeting up with old friends and making new ones as Toucando and I make our way round the coast of the island of Great Britain.
Latest update (12th March): We will not be leaving Milford Haven before Tuesday 21st May
Crew are particularly welcome to express an interest in any of the legs between Inverness (20th June) and Ipswich (20th July).
The itinerary for the Old Gaffers' Round Britain Challenge is now finalised (from the point of view of the organisers). I am now working hard on getting Toucando ready and sorting out crew.
Preparations
As far as the preparation is concerned I will be relocating to Shamrock Quay on 1 April which is a better location from the point of view of maintenance - easily reached by engineers, and with an on-site chandlery for all those bits and pieces that are needed. Anyone who is interested in coming to do some sanding and "varnishing" (technically not varnish, but Sikkens and Coelan coatings), cleaning, polishing, servicing winches, etc. etc. is welcome to visit. Technical experts are welcome, but so are non experts. Anyone who would like to help will be fed and accommodated aboard. I am likely to have a two or threee day trip to either the Cowes or Haslar Sealift for anti-fouling and anode replacement. Crew are welcome to some along free of charge. The Sealift staff do the dirty work, by the way. I haven't chosedn a date as yet.
Itinerary
Round Britian 2013 is part of the celebration of the 50th Anniversary of the Old Gaffers' Association (OGA) - the organisation which promotes traditional gaff rigged sailing. A gaffer has a four sided mainsail, supported at the top by a wooden spar known as the gaff. Most gaffers have wooden masts, and frequently wooden superstructure. Older boats have wooden hulls, but Toucando has a glass reinforced plastic (GRP) hull. A fleet of gaffers will be sailing round Great Britain attending various parties and regattas on the way organised by local areas of the OGA. Gaffering tends to be an informal style of sailing, and the social events are generally relaxed (even slightly scruffy in the best possible way). Barbecues, pontoon parties, shanty bands, discos and local regattas for small and large boats will provide plenty of entertainment. Between the main weekend festivities it will be up to skippers to decide where to go and where to stop. I have now decided that Toucando will go through the Caledonian Canal - this is mainly to allow time to attend the events in Dublin and Belfast.
Friday 3rd May: Shamrock Quay (Southampton) to RAFYC (Hamble). A short sail taking two to three hours. The fleet will assemble at Hamble before setting off Round Britain.
Saturday 4th May - Sunday 5th May: Solent Area Event at Hamble. This coincides with the Maritime Heritage Festival being held in the port of Southampton. We may parade back up Southampton Water for the entertainment of the crowds. There will be barbecues etc. ashore in Hamble and a first chance to get to know some of the other boats and crews. We may set off on Sunday morning to a nearby destination such as Yarmouth or Lymington so that we can get a good start heading west on Monday. Crew now complete for Southampton to Falmouth.
Monday 6th May - Friday 10th May: Solent to Falmouth, with a fleet stopover in Plymouth on 8th-9th May. Other stops could include Poole, Weymouth, Dartmouth. Crew now complete for Southampton to Falmouth.
Friday 10th May: Arrive in Falmouth. Crew now complete for Southampton to Falmouth.
Saturday 11th May: Day in Harbour.
Sunday 12th May: Possible departure for the Scillies.
Monday 13th to Friday 17th May: St Mary's to Milford Haven. This can easily be done as a single passage. Alternatively it could be possible to go to Kilmore Quay on the south east of Ireland, or anchor in the lee of Lundy in the Bristol Channel, and then visit Swansea. Much will depend on the crew and the prevailing conditions.
Saturday 18th to Sunday 19th May: Milford Haven event... no details yet available.
Monday 20th to Wednesday 22nd May: In harbour at Milford Haven.
Wednesday 22nd to Friday 24th May: Milford Haven to Holyhead. This passage typically takes the best part of 24 hours without stops.
Saturday 25th to Sunday 26th May: Holyhead event. Details not yet available, but the North Wales area of the OGA has a fine tradition of hosting excellent events at Holyhead.
Monday 27th to Friday 31st May: Holyhead to Dublin - this is essentially a daysail which could be undertaken any day that week. The other days will be spent mainly at Holyhead or Dublin and may include some day sails... it all depends on the crew and the weather.
Friday 31st May: Registration at Poolbeg Yacht Boat Club from 17.00 pm. Rally Sponsors Reception at Yacht Club from 20.00 pm.
Wine and finger food during Reception followed
by Craic and Ceoil (Music, song and Fun) till late
Saturday 1st June: Dublin Bay OGA ‘Leinster’ Perpetual Trophy Kish Race (Toucando will be spectating, not participating) First Gun 11.00 at Dun Laoghaire Harbour start line. ‘Barbecue & salads’ at Poolbeg Marina from 18.00 pm. Tickets for ‘Barbecue & Salads’ €8 per plate. 19.00 ‘Poems & Pints’ in the Clubhouse ‘Ceoil and Craic’ in Clubhouse from 20.30 pm till late.
Sunday 2nd June: Dublin Bay OGA ‘Howth 17’ Liffey Race ‘Between the Bridges’. First Gun: 13.00 am. Start line - Up river of Toll Bridge. Dublin Bay OGA 50th Anniversary Parade of Sail. All OGA Rally Boats will ‘dress overall’ fly their OGA burgees, and will sail upriver with the Howth 17s then berth alongside the North Quays to watch the River Race, after which all boats will fall in behind the Howth 17s who will lead the flotilla up river on our ‘Parade of Sail’ then down river to Poolbeg Light House and back to Poolbeg YBC for the barbecue. 18.30 Maritime Quiz for Boat Teams - Whisky Prize
Monday 3rd June: Dublin Bay OGA ‘Asgard’ Perpetual Trophy Race in Dublin Bay. First Gun: 11.30 am. At Poolbeg Lighthouse start line. Rally boats will compete for the Asgard Trophy in Dublin Bay, Rally Prizegiving in Poolbeg YBC Clubhouse. (Asgard was the boat in which Erskine Childers - author of "Riddle of the Sands", arguably the greatest sailing novel, ran guns from the south coast of England to Howth in 1914 on behalf of the Irish Volunteers).
Tuesday 2nd to Friday 5th June: Dublin to Belfast... could include a stop over in Peel (IOM) or Dandalk.
Saturday 6th and Sunday 7th June: Belfast event... no further details available yet.
Monday 8th to Friday 12th June: Belfast to Loch Melfort... sailing on the west coast of Scotland with potential stops at Islay, Jura, and other islands.
Saturday 13th and Sunday 14th June: Loch Melfort event including some 'Highland Hospitality', an informal party, beach barbeque, music and fun on Saturday evening.
Monday 15th to Friday 19th June: Loch Melfort to Inverness via Oban, Fort William and the Caledonian Canal. The canal goes through the Great Glen and links Loch Linnhe, Loch Lochy, Loch Oich and Loch Ness. Should be a fantastic few days sailing through some of the best scenery in Britain.
Saturday 20th to Friday 28th June: Inverness to Anstruther - I am not aware of any planned events in Inverness.
Friday 28th to Sunday 30th June: Anstruther event... no details yet, but I'm sure it will be good.
Monday 1st to Friday 5th July: Anstruther to Newcastle Upon Tyne... possibly including a mini event at Eyemouth.
Friday 5th to Sunday 7th July: OGA North East in conjunction with Newcastle Quayside Marina will host a Festival of Sail in the heart of the North East. A large scale gathering of gaff rigged and other traditional and characterful craft, including hopefully many Round Britain Challenge and Relay participants. The intention is to involve as many maritime & heritage organisations as possible in a weekend of activities including: parade/concours d'élegance, craft, volunteer & trade stands,music, food & drink. I am looking forward to our visit to the coaly Tyne as I have very fond memories of the canny toon where I learned to be a teacher. I know an alarming number of Geordie songs.
Monday 8th to Friday 12th July: Newcastle to Grimsby
Thursday 11th and Sunday 14th July: Grimsby & Cleethorpes Yacht Club will receive and entertain Round Britain Challenge participants with a programme of social and sailing events. No further details yet. I've never been to Grimsby by land or sea and am rather looking forward to it. I assume that there will be some excellent fish and chips involved.
Monday 15th to Friday 19th July: Grimsby to Ipswich. There are not many ports of call for a Cornish style deep draft sailing vessel who prefers to stay afloat at all states of tide. Lowestoft is one possibility. From there the next options are the marinas of the Rivers Orwell and Stour, including Harwich, Shotley and Woolverstone.
Saturday 20th July: Arrive at Ipswich Docks, BBQ at the Last Anchor £10.
Sunday 21st July: Regatta in and around Ipswich. Pontoon party.
Monday 22nd to Monday 29th July: There are a whole host of events in the interesting waters of Essex, including nights in Walton Backwaters, Mersea and Brightlingsea. Toucando is not ideally suited to sailing in the shoal waters of the east coast, so we may prefer to cross over to the Low Countries or go up the river to London. All to be decided.
Monday 29th July to Friday 2nd August: To Ramsgate (see above re possible route via Low Countries or London)
Saturday 3rd and Sunday 4th August: Ramsgate event: no details yet, but Ramsgate is a pretty poty in Kent which could be a good location for a weekend.
Monday 5th to Wednesday 14th August: We'll probably be beating down the channel to finish the Round Britain Challenge. This could include stops at French as well as English ports. If we're lucky we may get an easterly wind to help us on our way.
Thursday 15th to Sunday 18th August: OGA Jubilee Festival Cowes - This is the big event - it may well be the biggest gathering of gaffers in the UK for fifty years. We are taking over the whole of Cowes Yacht Haven for the festival period. There will be many events to take part in including rowing races, barbecues, parties, and all the usual activities available in Cowes. This is intended to be as inclusive an event as possible top showcase gaff rigged sailing.
Sunday 18th August: Return to Shamrock Quay in Southampton for a well earned rest.
Crew
I have already got crew for some legs, but there is plenty of opportunity for others to join. I will explain below how Toucando works from a crew perspective and what I am looking for.
Toucando is NOT a commercially coded vessel. She is a privately owned leisure yacht. Crew usually make a contribution to the costs of the voyage to cover food, fuel and mooring fees. Please discuss likely level of contribution with me. If there are event fees (e.g. paid for barbecues, dinners, entertainment) crew pay as required.
I am a commercially endorsed RYA Yachtmaster and Cruising Instructor, although I do not work as an instructor. I have about twelve years sailing experience, mainly on gaff rigged vessels. I try to ensure that time on Toucando comprises a balance of three things: enjoyment, learning and safety.
Toucando does not race. Until I have a regular crew with substantial experience of sailing on a gaffer racing is not a sensible idea. Toucando cruises and makes passages. The idea is to get from port to port efficiently and enjoyably. That means enjoying the view and the experience of sailing. There is always a thrill at entering a port for the first time from the sea, even if you know it well from ashore. Enjoying the marine environment is a key part of sailing. On a longer passage getting into the rhythm of life at sea can be very satisfying. Safety is of prime importance. All required equipment is carried, including life jackets for all crew. My policy is that life jackets are to be worn on deck when under way. As the RNLI slogan says life jackets are "useless unless worn".
I have a no alcohol policy whilst under way... which includes the hours before embarkation. I am happy to drink ashore, or on board once we are safely moored. Whilst I am not a smoker I understand that some excellent sailors do need nicotine. I am happy for crew to smoke on deck, preferably on the leeward side.
On the whole I do not put to sea in a Force 7 or above, or in "rough" sea states. I am cautious about fog or heavy (visibility reducing) rain. Sometimes we get caught out in difficult conditions and have to deal with them, and that's fine, but I prefer not to put us in harm's way if it can be avoided.
I operate a watch system on longer passages to ensure that crew change duties on a regular basis and get periods of rest. I find it best to change watch on the hour, and to have a written plan setting out the watches so everyone knows who is doing what and when.
I often prefer to eat and drink on the boat in harbour and enjoy looking at what's going on on the water. It can also be good to entertain friends from other boats, or indeed passers by. I am very happy for cooking duties to be shared, and have appreciated the excellent cooking skills of many of my crew. I also enjoy the occasional meal ashore... but not usually night after night. I enjoy sampling the local taverns and bars, but I also like going to sailing clubs where they exist. Clubs are repositories of local wisdom, and like most voluntary organisations they often struggle to survive: it behoves sailors to put some money across the bar and keep them going, and ask for some tips from the leathery faced denizens who know the local waters better than anyone.
Toucando has a for cabin with a double berth, suitable for two people who know one another well. The main saloon has four berths, two being the benches for the main dining table, and two "pilot berths" above them. I have slept in both upper berths quite a lot: they are particularly comfortable when under way with the lee cloths in position. Finally there is a quarter berth in the starboard quarter underneath the cockpit seat. This is another good space, close to the navigation table and the companionway ladder. In theory seven people can sleep aboard: in practice it is more comfortable for three, four or five. Whilst I assign berths for use when we are in port, when making longer passages the off watch crew may simply take the most appropriate berth in the circumstances (for example, if the engine is running it makes sense to rest in the fore cabin as far away from the noise as possible).
Toucando is a comfortable boat. Weighing 11 tons and with a long keel, she has a steady motion through the sea. Like most gaffers, she heels less than a triangular sailed boat for given conditions... the lower centre of effort and the ballast in her keel ensures that. She goes very well indeed with the wind on the beam, but does not point as close to the wind as a modern bernudan rigger. All the domestic arrangements below are well thought out, and she is a great boat to spend time aboard.
So far my crew has included Yachtmaster Instructors who know far mor than me about every aspect of sailing, complete novices and everything in between. I have had people who know about gaff rig, but the majority come aboard with no knowledge of its peculiarities. I have had children and elderly people. For Round Britain I would prefer to have one person with a reasonable level of experience, possibly underwritten with RYA qualifications... somebody who I would be happy to leave on deck running the ship while I had an hour's sleep below. Beyond that I am happy to consider crew with any level of experience, including little or none. (I would suggest that less experienced crew would be better suited to shorter passages in more protected waters.)
I try to enable crew to do all the main tasks aboard, with such instruction as may be necessary. Key duties include: helping with mooring, raising and trimming the sails. Rope handling is a major task: learning to coil and stow a rope is essential, and learning to tie knots efficiently. I don't expect novices to come aboard with knotting knowledge, but I won't be impressed with someone claiming to be a Yachtmaster who cannot tie a bowline. Steering is another core duty for crew - and one which most people enjoy. Maintaining a written log is something I always ask crew to help with. I explain the basics of navigation and pilotage, and keep crew well briefed on our passage plan. Being an efficient lookout is essential - drawing the attention of the skipper to anything that might be important is a key duty, from an oil tanker approaching from an unexpected angle to breaking waves ahead.
I would recommend aspiring crew to look at this blog to get more of an idea about Toucando and the sort of sailing she has done in my ownership. Also check out toucando.net which is a website with much more information and many pictures. There is also a link there through which you can send me messages.
If you would like to crew on any part ouf Round Britain Challenge, or even just visit when we're in harbour please get in touch. I'm sorry this is rather a long post, but hopefully it provides some useful information. I look forward to meeting up with old friends and making new ones as Toucando and I make our way round the coast of the island of Great Britain.
Monday 4 February 2013
Round Britain Challenge 2013: Update
Plans for Round Britain Challenge are developing fast. At national level the itinerary is now finalised and arrangements for all the local festivals are well in hand. From Toucando's point of view the pre-voyage maintenance programme is planned and it it looks as if April will be a busy month. Toucando will relocate to Shamrock Quay to take advantage of walk ashore pontoons, mains electricity, and easy access for the various trades people who will be helping to make sure everything is ready. I am planning to remove the mast for a week or two to allow for the application of more coats of Coelan (polyurethane "varnish"), particularly where friction from the gaff jaws has eroded the original covering over the years. The opportunity will be taken for a thorough inspection of all the standing rigging. Some minor electrical works are planned, as well as the usual annual service of the engine. Hull cleaning and anti-fouling will be undertaken at Sealift (Cowes or Gosport), and a general smartening up of varnish work will be done as and when the weather allows. If anyone is interested in helping please get in touch.
I have now decided that Toucando will take the Caledonian Canal option in the Round Britain Challenge. This is mainly because I would not want to miss the events planned in Dublin and Belfast, which would be virtually unavoidable in order to get to Campbeltown in time to set off round the top of Scotland. I think the Caledonian Canal itself would be pretty interesting and spectacular. A core crew is in place for the first half of the trip, although there is space for others. I am still looking for crew for parts of the second half... from Inverness back to Cowes, so anybody interested in any part of that is very welcome to make contact (toucando (at) citybeat.org.uk). I am ideally seeking one person with fairly significant experience as a first mate/watch leader and others with such experience as we agree may be desirable. In general the itinerary is fairly generous, enabling most of the circumnavigation to be completed as a series of day sails, although some longer passages in excess of 24 hours will be required where no suitable harbour is available. Equally it should be possible to plan passages taking advantage of better weather. Friends of Toucando who would like to visit, but not sail, are welcome to do so at the various rallies and parties which are being organised along the route. I hope to update the blog on a fairly regular basis during the run-up to the start of the voyage in early May... so keep checking to see how we are getting on.
I have now decided that Toucando will take the Caledonian Canal option in the Round Britain Challenge. This is mainly because I would not want to miss the events planned in Dublin and Belfast, which would be virtually unavoidable in order to get to Campbeltown in time to set off round the top of Scotland. I think the Caledonian Canal itself would be pretty interesting and spectacular. A core crew is in place for the first half of the trip, although there is space for others. I am still looking for crew for parts of the second half... from Inverness back to Cowes, so anybody interested in any part of that is very welcome to make contact (toucando (at) citybeat.org.uk). I am ideally seeking one person with fairly significant experience as a first mate/watch leader and others with such experience as we agree may be desirable. In general the itinerary is fairly generous, enabling most of the circumnavigation to be completed as a series of day sails, although some longer passages in excess of 24 hours will be required where no suitable harbour is available. Equally it should be possible to plan passages taking advantage of better weather. Friends of Toucando who would like to visit, but not sail, are welcome to do so at the various rallies and parties which are being organised along the route. I hope to update the blog on a fairly regular basis during the run-up to the start of the voyage in early May... so keep checking to see how we are getting on.
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